Makeup Wars – Favorite Makeup Brush

Welcome to another round of Makeup Wars! This time, we’re supposed to share our favorite makeup brush. You know me, it’s SO HARD to choose just one!

This is the Urban Decay Good Karma Optical Blurring Brush. It’s cruelty-free, made from synthetic bristles, and from recycled PET bottles and recycled aluminum. And yes, it’s vegan! The bristles are very densely packed, making it perfect to distribute foundation on the skin. While I’ve exclusively used it with liquid, I’m toying around with picking up a second brush for powder and cream foundations. It just works so well with liquids that I’m only using it with those right now.

Price:
$24

This brush has revolutionized foundation for me. Before this brush I primarily used my finger tips to apply liquid foundations, using a brush only under the eyes. On rare occasion I would use a pointed foundation brush. I’ve been using the Optical Blurring Brush with the stipple method and I can’t believe the difference in how foundations look on me with it! I think it looks amazing.

I can’t get over how gorgeous I look when I use this brush to stipple on foundation. As you know, I feel that flawless skin is key to any good look, and if you can only focus on a few things, I’d make flawless skin one of those things (with eyebrows and lips second and third).

I haven’t tried this one yet but I’ve heard GREAT things about it! At the moment my favorite foundation brush is the Shiseido Perfect Foundation brush. True to its name it gives me the perfect base to put anything else on! Plus I can also blend out my cream blushes with it in a second or two

http://www.Phyrra.net/ Phyrra

Mostly Sunny You’ve gotta at least check this one out in the store and let me know what you think

blushingnoir

so this is how you always look so amazing =P I use my fingers for foundation as well. maybe I need some karma!

http://www.Phyrra.net/ Phyrra

blushingnoir Aww thank you! Yes you should check it out

VirginiaCaviola

I totally agree with you on this brush! I had been using the Real Techniques buffing brush for liquid foundations (ahhmmazzingg). However, once I saw this (and bought and tried it) my world was changed. This brush is amazing for ALL liquid foundations, and its so unbelievably soft! I love it! (Also, for 24$ the price isnt half bad..I may need to pick up a backup:)

http://www.Phyrra.net/ Phyrra

VirginiaCaviola I’m with you on that. It’s on my Wish List!

pinkmariebelle

I really love the Sigma Rounded Kabuki, would you say this is better than that brush?

http://www.Phyrra.net/ Phyrra

pinkmariebelle I don’t have the Sigma, as I don’t like the brand, so I can’t speak on it. I can say that I feel this is extremely high quality and I will be picking up another of these brushes because it is awesome.

mustbinsane

I haven’t tried any Urban Decay brushes yet. They’re pricey, but they also seem like a case where you get what you pay for.

http://www.Phyrra.net/ Phyrra

mustbinsane They are so worth it! Try picking them up during a Sephora F&F sale. there should be one coming up soon

OhPossum

I haven’t tried them yet, but the UD brush & the Optical Blurring brush arrived Saturday. I use a cream foundation – Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Ultra Lift and Firm in Vanilla Shell – perfect color and good for my Sahara-dry skin. My experience with a foundation brush was at the EA counter. She used a flat, oval brush, which might as well have been a trowel. I don’t blame the brush, just the wielder. LOL I have always used fingers, applying from the inside of the lid so I don’t wind up looking like Tammy Faye Bakker. I’m looking forward to playing with the brushes when I have more time than the pre-work slap-and-dash.

http://www.Phyrra.net/ Phyrra

OhPossum I hope you have fun

OhPossum

Holy mother of pearl, this UD brush is magical! I used it for the first time this morning. The difference between my usual finger-application and stippling with the brush is HUGE! I look almost airbrushed and soft-focus portrait-lensed. O.o I’ll be on the lookout for a sale to grab a couple of back-ups.Imagine what I might achieve with some practice. LOL

Thanks loads for your review and recommendation.

BeautyBlogger

I am a sucker for these brushes that can be used with foundation; looks like I need another one now. Great pick!

http://www.Phyrra.net/ Phyrra

BeautyBlogger Thanks Yes, it is awesome.

http://www.cinseven13.blogspot.com/ cinseven13

Sounds like I should pick one up!

http://www.Phyrra.net/ Phyrra

cinseven13 Yes definitely!

pammyblogbeauty

I have wanted this brush ever since reading your Naked Skin review (yes, I want the UD fdn too!). I am adding it to my shopping wish list. I might have to get it when I get the foundation. While I love my f80 for foundation that I featured in this MUWar, I wonder how the two compare. Do you have the Sigma F80?

http://www.Phyrra.net/ Phyrra

pammyblogbeauty I don’t have the Sigma. I’m not really a fan of Sigma. I can highly recommend this one though

http://TheRabbitSmiles.com TheRabbitSmiles

Great review; your foundation looks amazing in the pix.

http://www.Phyrra.net/ Phyrra

TheRabbitSmiles Thank you!

perilouslypale

It sounds amazing! You sure sound in love. That’s good enough for me!

http://www.Phyrra.net/ Phyrra

perilouslypale I truly am! I’ll be picking up another.

misfitgirlie

I will eventually by this foundation & brush!Do you have any recommendations for synthetic brushes? Since I started trying your tutorials, I feel like I need some more variety! I have a Sephora set that has the basics (but that was before I knew about CF), and I have a decent EcoTools set for eyes, but I feel like I could maximize my products if I picked up some others.

http://www.Phyrra.net/ Phyrra

misfitgirlie Yes! I prefer synthetic brushes. Depending on your price range: 1. Too Faced and Urban Decay make amazing brushes. Wait for a Sephora Friends & Family sale to pick some up. 20% off is sweet! 2. Real Techniques brushes are really nice. 3. ecoTools brushes. 4. I have 1 bdellum brush which I really like. All of these are synthetic and really nice quality. I need to do another brush video to show off my brushes

Lisa Brown

I have heard so many good things about this foundation. Your skin looks flawless. The brush looks great. I really prefer synthetic myself and am now trying to collect just those. Not sure if I can ever afford UD’s, but I will keep it in mind. Thank you for the review.

Lisa C

I love this brush, its absolutely amazing! Works so well with the UD foundation.

http://www.youtube.com/user/macface2adore?feature=mhee Jennifer D.

I am looking forward to showing my favorite brushes. Some were $3.50 and others much more, but it goes to show that cost doesn’t matter. I will try whatever works. I have a brush like the MAC 109 that I would love if I didn’t look like cat afterward and it was only $4.99. I wish I could return my brush to MAC. This was the 2nd one and I think they are guaranteed. I have to use tweezers afterward and can never ever take it to use on a bride. I had to gently pick pieces out from beading once after a touch up. Yeah, wasn’t cool:) Thanks…I love looking a brushes. I find them addictive!

http://rougerogue.com/ Valerie

I truly need to check out this Urban Decay Good Karma brush. This is one of many reviews that I’ve read recommending it. Love that it’s made from recycled materials and cruelty free. And a cute name!

trumpette310

Gosh, so many positive things I’m hearing about this brush. If you’re thinking of investing in two, I really need to at least get one! I went to the UD counter in my local dept store yesterday and it felt amazing – the MA said she couldn’t believe the difference in her foundation application and that she uses it with both liquid and powder. I’m just hesitant because I love my EcoTools retractable kabuki so much…

http://www.beautyandfashiontech.com Carleen

I almost ordered this the other day. I might still do so. BTW, thanks for the recommendation on Naked Skin, I love it!!!